We live in an age of the high-powered long-life battery-powered portable device. But it seems that the limitations of the nickel-based batteries that were prevalent in the early '90s still apply to the more modern lithium ion and lithium polymer technologies we use today.

Battery technology may not have changed much in the last couple decades, but common knowledge is even worse.

Here are the most common battery myths we hear at PC Pitstop Port Macquarie.

Myth #1: Leaving your devices plugged in will "overcharge" them

FALSE. Most chargers are smart enough to momentarily stop charging once the device is fully charged. Manufacturers want their batteries to last as long as possible and therefore go to long lengths to design and employ very smart charging systems that even cycle the batteries to make them last longer.

Leaving the device plugged in like this every single night can have an impact on the lifespan of the battery, but the act of leaving it plugged in isn't as damaging as some people make it out to be.

Manufacturers do recommend you "exercise" the battery every month or so by letting it fully drain before charging it back up again - but really thats about it.

Myth #2: You should always let the battery drain completely before recharging

FALSE. Today's Batteries never truly fully discharge. Even when you see 0/Zero percent or evern dead, your laptop or smartphone's battery would still be sitting around 5-10 percent charge. This is why when you press the button to turn it on you still get the message to charge the battery.

If you choose to follow the myth anyway and allow your device to go "dead" everyday, it will reduce the batteries effectiveness over time.

So: top off charge more often to prolong the battery life of your electronics, and stop letting your laptop or smartphone die every day.

Myth #3: Always fully charge your device before its first use

FALSE. But to be fair - it doesn't really matter or hurt anything to fully charge your device's battery before you use it, and it doent't hurt anything either if you miss this step.

So why do manufacturers sometimes tell you to do it? Fully charging the battery before using a device is to kick-start what's known as a "calibration process." This helps the device learn how the individual battery behaves (pretty smart!). Most batteries are self-calibrating, so it's still an unnecessary step.

Myth #4: Store your batteries in the refrigerator

FALSE. DO NOT STORE YOUR BATTERIES IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR FREEZER. This is not only bad but dangerous. Extreme temperatures - hot or cold and especially for long periods of time - are not good for any type of battery.

Remember, a battery is a collection of chemicals that store energy. Doing something that upsets those chemicals will have dangerous consequences.

To maximize shelf life, Energizer suggests storing "batteries at normal room temperatures (20 degrees C to 25 degrees C) with moderate humidity levels (35 to 65 percent RH)." This should provide a shelf life of five to 10 years for your standard, cylindrical alkaline cells and 10 to 15 years for cylindrical lithium batteries.

Interesting fact: if you're wondering why your smartphone battery isn't performing as well after just a year or two, that's because the more you use a battery, the less efficient it becomes - batteries have a limit to the amount of times they can be charged (refered to as charging cycles). This charging cycles vary from battery to battery.

Battery prices have come down and down over the past 24 months. A laptop battery that used to cost $220 is now arount the $95 mark.

PC Pitstop recommends you replace your laptop battery every 24 - 36 months depending on use to get the best possible use out of it.

Our team order in your replacement (or additional if you want extended use - think airport or long haul flight) and have it delivered to the store usually within 24 - 36 hours.

We wish we could keep in store every battery from every model of device ever manufactured - but to keep the prices low and stock fresh - we order in overnight.

Need a new battery for your device? Drop into the store and the team will identify and quote you on spot - 10 Bellbowrie Street Port Macquarie - Phone - 02 65 841 551.

PC Pitstop Computer Manual & Service Planner :: Making IT Easy for YOU

We are so excited to finally have our PC Pitstop Computer Manual & Service Planner in store for everyone who receives any service from PC Pitstop! So many of you have been wanting something like this and it will definately make life easier for a lot of businesses and families! We've been working on this handy guide for 12mths and it's jammed packed with over 30years experience in computer repairs, computer builds and everything in between.

It features an entire section dedicated to Customer Care Guides - 22 simple 'How-To' guides for navigating your computer, your devices and the internet. The Preventative Maintainence Schedule at the back of the booklet details exactly what service is recommended for your computer at various points in it's life and can even be stamp certified that you were looked after by a PC Pitstop Trained Technician.

We love providing extra value and this Manual is the perfect tech-education and tracking tool for all our customers!

i3, i5, i7: Newer types of Intel Processors, i5 is Dual Core, i7 is Quad CoreADSL: Home broadband through the phone line, currently the fastest way to access the internetADSL2+: A faster version of ADSLAGP: Accelerated Graphics Port, connection on older motherboards for graphics cardsBlu Ray Drive: Will burn and play CDs and DVDs will only play Blu Ray DiscsBlu Ray Writer: Will burn and play CDs, DVDs and Blu Ray DiscsCPU: Central Processing Unit or Processor, comes in two brands either Intel or AMD. Known as the "brain" of the computer, essential for computer to run. More often than not faster processor = faster computer.CD Writer: Will burn and play CDs not DVDsDDR1 DDR2 DDR3: Various types of RAM (memory)Dual Core/Quad Core: Different types of processor, Quad core mainly used by gamers/ hardcore users. DVD Reader/CD Burner: Will play DVDs and burn CDsDVD Writer: Will burn and play DVDs and CDsDVI: A higher quality computer to monitor connection, wider than VGA plugs and often white in colourEthernet: Cable used to connect computer to a network or modem for broadbandGB: Gigabyte, unit of measurement for hard drive or RAM size, 1GB = 1024MBHDD: Hard Drive Disk or Hard Drive, used to store data on a computer, size measured in gigabytes or terabytesHDMI: High Definition Multimedia Interface, the newest kind of computer to monitor cable, High definition quality, also carries audio, is usually used to plug a computer into Plasma or LCD screens and is used in Game Consoles and Blu Ray playersIDE or PATA: Older connection on motherboards for connecting hard drives or disc drives, wide flat ribbon cableMb: Megabyte, unit of measurement for hard drive or RAM size MB: Motherboard, the main part of a computer which all other parts plug into, often the most expensive part of a computer to replacePCI:Connection on motherboard for connection Sound Cards, USB cards, dial up modems etcPCI Express: Connection on motherboard for Video CardsPCIMIA or ExpressCard Slot: Slot on the side of laptops for connecting an expansion card, usually wireless or extra USB portsRAM: Random Access Memory, necessary for computer to function More often than not more RAM = more speed; comes in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB etcSATA: Newer connection on motherboards for connecting hard drives and DVD or Blu Ray DrivesSerial/Parallel: Older connection for printers, modems etcSSD: Solid State Hard Drive, newest type of HDD. Contains no moving parts which avoids many of the problems of standard HDDs and runs at faster speedsTB: Terabyte, unit of measurement for Hard Drive size, 1TB = 1024GBUSB: Universal Serial Bus, used to connect devices such as iPods, Cameras, Printers, Keyboards etc. to computers, is either USB 1.0 (older computers), USB 2.0 (modern computers) or USB 3.0 (newest computers)VGA or D-SUB: The most basic plug for connecting a computer to a monitor, the two plugs are often blue colouredVideo Card/Graphics Card: Used to send the signal from the computer to the monitor, can be either part of the motherboard or a separate card, the more powerful the video card the more graphics intensive games you can play, plus improved performance from CADD, Video Editing and Photo Editing programsWireless (Wi-Fi): Used to connect computers to a modem for broadbandWireless Broadband: Internet for people on the go using mobile phone signals and networks e.g. Telstra/Optus sticks, mobile phones or other devices

Plus there are thousands more! We try to SPEEK NO GEEK but if your PC Pitstop Trained Technician uses language you don’t quite understand, just ask him to explain the lingo and he’ll happily talk you through it!

#02 65 841 551 ::
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:: www.pcpitstop.com.au/blog